Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year, and for many years I have done cards for family and friends for it. I love the long weekend, the autumn colors, the Macy’s parade followed by a day of family, football, food and friends. The emphasis is on gratitude, a day of reflection on all we have in our lives, plus the anticipation of the holidays to come is ahead of us. What could be better? When I got my Stampin UP catalog just last month, I had to order the Country Home stamp set from the Country Lane Suite and get busy on some Thanksgiving cards!
The clear acrylic stamps are easy to use with acrylic blocks, and make it so easy to line up two stamps together into a single image. I had some nice papers to use too, with words of thankfulness.
I stamped a pitcher and two pails with one of the two fillers. On the handled container, I put two different insets. The one on the lower left has four stamps used, and all lined up just right.
Next, I got out my chalks and blender pens, and colored the images. Taking an idea from the catalog, I put a bit of color around the base to give it a ground to sit on.
For the first card, I mounted a brown paper square on the words paper, then wrapped twine around and tied a bow. The image and the framed sentiment were added on top for a muli-layered look.
Cutting this one out, I wasn’t happy with the oval I tried to do, so I fussy cut it, and mounted it on the green cardstock. Pretty papers and gold ribbon completed the base.
Too much fun to stop, I made more cards with patterned papers, Country Home stamps and some leaf stickers.
Then, I was watching some card making videos and came across this idea of inking the embossing folder. So I tried that too.
Open up the folder, and run the ink pad over the surface with the indented pattern to put the ink on the filler spaces.
Then place a piece of card stock on the folder, and run it through the machine as usual. You’ll get this, an embossed element nicely shaded with color. Be sure to immediately clean your embossing folder or it may permanently stain.
The other way is to do the embossing first, then lightly tap the ink pad on the raised surface.
Here are both methods using the same folder side by side using the same ink pad.
So those elements became the base for two more cards, with the sentiments from the Country Home stamp set. This one has a leaf pattern ribbon on the left and a double matted sentiment in the center.
For this card, I used a matching Old Olive twine to match the card base and the ink color for the sentiment.
One fun afternoon of stamping, and I have several cards ready to send to family and friends.
Stampin UP! is sponsoring today’s giveaway, a set from the Country Lane Suite of Country Home stamps and the coordinating papers! Click to find a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator near you.
To enter, leave a comment on this post, and then click on the button below for the Rafflecopter entry widget. There are multiple ways to enter, and the more you do the more entries you get! Entry time for this drawing is open until October 20th. Open to entries with USA shipping addresses only.
Are you stamping for Halloween or Thanksgiving? What’s your favorite holiday to make and send cards?
From My Carolina Home 
Love this Stamp Set & your cards are BEAUTIFUL!
I will not be stamping for Halloween or Thanksgiving this year. Your cards are so lovely. The recipients will be pleased to get them.
Stamping cards …. a great craft/hobby that I have not worked on in years. Handmade gifts are treasures. I used to create note cards with my students using the flowers/weeds they picked during recess. We pressed them and then used them for the front of the cards. One of the great memories from my many teaching days. I always hold onto the hand made, personalized cards that are given to me.
Beautiful cards!!! Thank you for sharing.
I would love to stamp, as usual, just have to find the time! Make time – your cards are so pretty!
Your cards are terrific.
.cant wait to start your quilt though.
Your cards are just beautiful. My favorites are the one with the orange ribbon, and the one with the leaves in the back right. My daughter and I used to stamp together; it was so much fun. You do lovely work!
Wonderful cards, I enjoy making handmade items like this for all occasions.
really cute cards, Carole. I love making stuff like this. I love the coloring part 🙂
I hadn’t planned to hand-stamp cards, but your examples are so gorgeous, I’m really tempted to dive in!! I generally watercolor a photo I’ve taken (thru an app) and print my cards. 🙂
Ohboy! I learn something new every time I read your blog! Going to Stamping group tomorrow, & will try coloring the embossing folder for my backgrounds. Theresa Hill is my local Stampin’ Up! distributor – wish I could go to more of her classes. Would love the Thanksgiving kit!!
Thanks! I thought that was a neat trick too!
I really like the images and how they look colored with chalks. Soft and pretty. Great set of Thanksgiving cards. I do try to send Thanksgiving cards to those family we cannot see. I am working on a few now.
You make the best cards.
The last cards I made were for you, Carole! I thoroughly enjoyed designing them for the Safelight Project, along with making the bags as well. You examples are just lovely and those receiving them will treasure and enjoy.
Thank you!!
Lovely cards. I make cards for all the holidays. Especially like making Halloween cards. Carla from Utah
I haven’t tried stamping or making cards before. I have a few friends who do these types of cards and I am in awe of the beauty of these cards. Here’s hoping that I am lucky enough to win. keeping my fingers crossed
I have never made cards before but these are just so pretty! All of your cards are awe-inspiring!
Oh my goodness, you make the most amazing cards! I love making cards, but often take the easy way and make them on shutterfly with photos I have taken. I also sometimes use stamps, fabric, etc. Not sure if I will get to that this year or not! Maybe for Christmas.
Love making cards.
You make such beautiful cards. I made some fabric postcards for Halloween but would love to stamp some thanksgiving cards.
Your cards are awesome! Thanks for showing us how you created them!
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com
I just might stamp some cards for Halloween!
I really admire handmade cards but do not do that myself. I like to send Valentine cards.
I may make some autumn cards. ‘Already have Halloween cards ready to mail. Carole, your cards are beautiful, as always.
I made a bunch of postcards last year for Thanksgiving…not sure what I’ll be doing this year. The stamping looks like a great idea! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.
That embossing trick is pretty cool, Carole, and your cards are beautiful! Not a stamper, but your examples always tempt me!
I haven’t stamped or made cards in a few years. You have some wonderful ideas. And Old Olive has been one of my favorite ink colors!
Just wonderful cards. Very inspiring. Haven’t done stamping up for ages but you have made me
want to pick up the craft again.
Beautiful cards! I love making cards too!
I love country anything! Cute cards!
I love your cards and I love to make cards. Christmas would be my favorite one to make and send for. Fall the second favorite;) Do you have a preference of the inking embossed cards method? I have not tried either yet.
Your cards are BEAUTIFUL, Carole! Great job! Thanks for sharing and the opportunity to win!
Great cards, Stampin up has wonderful products. I like the idea of inking the embossing folder.
I have never stamped cards before — this might be the time to start!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday even though my hubby and I are alone. We are thankful for each other and we both love the holiday by ourselves. I made really cute thanksgiving pop-up cards last year! Your cards are beautiful, Carole!!
I’d like to stamp for either one, but I haven’t found any stamping time in several months! I even quit looking at stamp sites because there’s just no time … but I have plenty of stamps already! I have the machine, but I think only one or two embossing folders – a hole in my collection. LOL Your cards are absolutely wonderful!
Delightful set of cards. You have really made the most of this card set.
Plan to use some of these ideas to make place cards for my Thanksgiving dinner.
I need to get going on Christmas cards now.
Yes I have been stamping and making alot of Halloween cards and will also make Thanksgiving one also.
I love it for both Holidays even Christmas. Thank you. This is awesome.